Category Archive for: Reviews

In Lincolnesque, a play written by John Strand and directed by Colin Smith, the art of lying for one’s country succeeds in fusing a deceptively light touch and inside-the-Beltway political humor with profoundly deep messaging that goes straight to the heart. Lincolnesque’s timeliness hits the bullseye. Brandon McCoy as Francis brings a boyish innocence to his delusional

The widely lamented awfulness of right now is why the Dupont Circle troupe Keegan Theatre has brought back [John Strand’s] “Lincolnesque,” a dark fantasy about a noble speechwriter who breaks down and starts channeling Abraham Lincoln’s loftiest prose. With “Lincolnesque,” the Keegan audience gets no sense that the seemingly of-the-moment show is over a decade old.

One thing leaps out right away at the Keegan Theatre’s production of “Bridges of Madison County”—this is one of the most gorgeously sung shows of the season. Led by the impeccable Susan Derry as Francesca Johnson and Dan Felton as Robert Kincaid, the music is at times transcendent. Derry sings with her usual power and

The Keegan Theatre’s production of this swirling musical [The Bridges of Madison County] with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and book by Marsha Norman is an aching exploration of the lives we lead, the loves we chose, and the bridges we cross. Leading the way as Francesca was the powerhouse Susan Derry. Despite her

Sometimes a show comes along on Broadway that leaves you saying, “Hmm I wonder what it would be like without the large scale production?” The 2014 Jason Robert Brown/Marsha Norman musical The Bridges of Madison County is one of those shows. DC’s Keegan Theatre’s venue is way more intimate than a Broadway theatre is so it is

From Kurt Boehm’s direction and nuanced yet sure performances of the leads to Michael Innocenti’s evocative gorgeous lighting and Patrick Lord’s projections, Keegan Theatre’s The Bridges of Madison County injects spine and humor into a sentimental journey and brings the heartland to life. Having just returned from a family reunion in the Midwest – well, not Iowa

“Bridges” can be ravishing, and the ace in this staging is Susan Derry, whose operatic soprano is exactly right for Francesca, the Italian war bride pining away in 1965 Iowa after 20 years of marriage. Derry is wonderful with Francesca’s anxieties when her family leaves for a state fair and a handsome National Geographic photographer shows

“Other Life Forms,” now playing at the Keegan Theatre, is a profound examination of what it means to be human, as seen by someone who (probably) isn’t. The world premiere by Brandon McCoy, directed by Shirley Serotsky, has the rare charm of being both thoughtful and funny, prompting both laughs and questions in equal measure.

Dating is rough. “Other Life Forms,” which premiered at the Keegan Theatre this week, opens with this reminder. The audience is witness to two very different internet dates: Ben and Molly in one restaurant, and Jeff and Leslie in another. … As one date settles into comfortable conversation and the other spirals wildly out of control,

When asked recently what he hoped audiences will get from watching Other Life Forms, playwright Brandon McCoy answered, “I hope they laugh, and I hope they have a really good time.” Mission accomplished! McCoy’s new work – a world premiere now at the Keegan Theatre — is a funny, adroit look at contemporary love brought to life